Ferryboat-propulsion device



; March 26, s. A. HOGE ET AL 1,706,732

FERRY BOAT PROPULSION DEVICE Filed NOV. 23, 1927 A JI ' :2 14 H II I I Ill 0 0 l 0 JNVENTORS Patented Mar. 26, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SMITH A. HOGE AND FRANK LOPP, 0F RICES LANDING, PENNSYLVANIA.

FERRYBOAT-PROPULSION DEVICE.

Application filed November 23, 1927. Serial No. 236,207.

This invention relates to improvements in propelling mechanisms, and while primarily designed for propelling a ferry boat or other vessel, it will be obvious thatthe device may be employed for any other purposes wherein it is found tobe applicable.

Important objects of the invention are to provide a device of the character described which embodies a cable arranged on associated pulleys in a manner to prevent slipping of the cable on the latter, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable and efii cientin its use, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. lVith the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description,

proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, but is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to that come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a top plan View of a propelling mechanism and driving apparatus therefor, constructed in accordance with the inven tion.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the propelling mechanism.

Our improved device is primarily intended to provide a propulsionmedium for driving a ferry boat across a river or other narrow body of water. A pair of cables, respectively indicated at 1' and 2, is positioned to extend across the water, in the path of travel of the boat. The cables 1 and 2 have their respective ends securely anchored to the banks on opposite sides of the water. The cables 1 and 2 are drawn comparatively taut to extend parallel with respect to each other, and form a flexible track determining the path of travel of the boat. i

The cable 1 passes over a pair of sheaves 3 which are adapted to be suitably-journaled to the boat preferably at the approximate elevation of the floor of the boat, and at respective ends and at one side of the latter. The cable 2 passes over a similar pair of sheaves 4, which are positioned, in vertical alignment, below the sheaves 3. The sheaves 3 and 4 may be secured to the side ofthe boat in any suitablem anner to best meet conditions found in practice, and func-- tion, in connection with associated cables 1 and 2, to keep the boat properly aligned in its direction'of travel. I

Only the cable 1 is utilized. to effect the propulsion operation, and for such purpose is associated with a pair of pulleys, respectively indicated at 5 and 6. The pulley 5 is the main drive pulley and connects with the driving apparatus used in providing the source of power.- The auxiliarypulley 6 is adapted to be suitably journaled to the boat structure and is spaced from themain drive pulley 5. The axial centers of the pulleys 5 and 6 are preferably aligned horizontally as shown in'Figure 2. The drive pulley 5 is formed with two annular grooves, indicated at? and 8, the former being disposed on the outer side of the pulley periphery, and the latter on the inner side thereof.

The arrangement of the cablel' on the pulleys 5 and 6 is clearly indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, of the drawing, and is as follows :The portion of the cable 1', indicated at A and extending from one bank of the body of water, passes beneath and around the drive pulley in the outergroove 7. The cable 1 now passes from the'top of the inner grooveS, from where the portion. -of the cable indicated at B, extends to its point of anchorage on the opposite bank of the water. 1 on the associated pulleys 5 and 6 substantially forms the figure 8.

The driving apparatus, illustrated in the drawing, for operating an internal combustion engine 10, which is mounted on a bed plate 11 and the latter, together with the engine 10, is disposed longitudinally on the associated boat. It will, of course, be. obvious that the motive power may be supplied by any other equivalent power mechanism, namely steam engine, electric motor, etc.

A counter shaft 12 and a drive shaft 13, extend transversely across the bed plate 11 and are disposed parallel relatively to each other. The counter and drive shafts 12 and 13 are suitably journaled for rotation in re- The arrangement of the cable spective bearings 14: and 15, which are fixed on the bed plate 11.

The propelling end of the counter shaft 12 carries a fixed gear 16 which meshes with and drives a similar gear 17 fixed on the drive shaft 13. The projecting end of the latter is fixed in the drive pulley 5.

A transmission shaft 18 has a geared con nection 19 with the counter shaft 12 and the transmission shaft 18 further connects with the engine shaft 20 by transmission gearing 21. The latter is of the usual. construction providing for the same speed reverse drive and full control of the driving apparatus.

The drive shaft is connected with a braking element 22 for retarding the movements of the driving apparatus and of the boat itself when the latter is travelling by rnomentrun and it is desired to slow down or bring the boat to a stop.

The operation of the driving pulley 5, due to its association with the cable 1 and auxiliary pulley 6, in conjunction with the associated driving apparatus, will propel the vessel in either direction across the water in the path determined by the direction of the cables 1 and 2, and provide a highly eflicient and simple propulsion device;

What we claim is:

In a ferry boat propulsion device of the character described, a driving pulley operatively connected with the power mechanism of the ferry boat, said driving pulley having an outer and an inner groove formed on the periphery thereof, an auxiliary pulley revoluhly connected with the ferry boat and having its periphery provided with a groove, and a cable adapted to being anchored at each end thereof, said cable passing from one direction to beneath and around said driving pulley in said outer groove and extending from the top of said driving pulley to beneath and around said grooved auxiliary pulley and passing from the top of'the lat ter to beneath said driving pulley in the said inner groove and extending in the other direction, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we afiiz; our signatures.

SMITH A. HOGE. FRANK LOPP. 

